Computer having power management function

ABSTRACT

A power management system is disposed in a computer. The power management system includes a current detecting module and a chipset. The current detecting module is disposed between the power receiving end of an external device and the power cord of the power source of the computer for detecting the current sink by the external device and accordingly outputting a current detecting signal. The chipset adjusts the operating voltage or operating frequency of the external device according to the current detecting signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a power management system for a computer, and more particularly, to a power management system for a computer adjusting power consumption by detecting current.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional computer 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the computer 100 comprises a power supply PS and a mother board MB. The mother board comprises a central processing unit CPU, a chipset CS, a DC/DC converter DC/DC₁, two regulators LDO₁ and LDO₂, a predetermined function device Y₁, and an internal current detecting module CDM₁.

The power supply PS comprises a first output end O₁ and a second output end O₂ for respectively providing power. The first output end O₁ of the power supply PS is coupled to the power socket SKT₁ through the power cord W₁ and the power plug CON₁ for providing power to the DC/DC converter DC/DC₁. The DC/DC converter DC/DC₁ converts the received power to appropriate voltages and provides the converted voltages to the regulators LDO₁ and LDO₂ respectively. The regulator LDO₁ provides an appropriate voltage to the central processing unit CPU and the chipset CS. The regulator LDO₂ provides an appropriate voltage to the predetermined function device Y₁.

The internal current detecting module CDM₁ is coupled between the regulator LDO₂ and the predetermined function device Y₁ for detecting the current transmitted from the regulator LDO₂ to the predetermined function device Y₁, and accordingly outputs a current detecting signal S_(I1) to the chipset CS. The chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ according to the current detecting signal S_(I1), and accordingly adjusts the power consumption of the predetermined function device Y₁. For example, when the current detecting signal S_(I1) is lower than a predetermined value I_(P1), the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be idle; when the current detecting signal S_(I1) is higher than the predetermined value I_(P1), the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be busy. When the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be idle, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C1) to the regulator LDO₂ for decreasing the output voltage of the regulator LDO₂ so as to reduce the power consumption of the predetermined function device Y₁, or, when the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be idle, the chipset CS transmits a control signal SC₂ to the predetermined function device Y₁ for decreasing the operating frequency of the predetermined function device Y₁ so as to reduce the power consumption of the predetermined function device Y₁. When the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be busy, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C1) to the regulator LDO₂ for increasing the output voltage of the regulator LDO₂ so as to accelerate the processing speed of the predetermined function device Y₁, or, when the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be busy, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C2) to the predetermined function device Y₁ for increasing the operating frequency of the predetermined function device Y₁ so as to accelerate the processing speed of the predetermined function device Y₁.

The mother board MB is also equipped with a socket SKT_(X) coupling to the chipset CS through Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) or the like for allowing users to connect the external devices onto the mother board MB. As shown in FIG. 1, the external device X can be plugged into the socket SKT_(X) so as to communicate with the chipset CS through the PCI or the like and accordingly execute the function of the external device X.

Generally, under the condition that the power consumption of the external device X is small, the DC/DC converter DC/DC₁ of the mother board MB directly provides power to the external device X through the socket SKT_(X). However, if the power consumption of the external device X (i.e. accelerated graphic card) is too high, the DC/DC converter DC/DC₁ of the mother board MB cannot provide enough power to the external device X. Therefore, the external device X has to receive power from the second output end O₂ of the power supply PS of the computer 100.

The external device X comprises a power socket SKT₂, a DC/DC converter DC/DC₂, a regulator LDO₃, and a predetermined function device Y₂. As stated above, if the external device X is an accelerated graphic card, then the predetermined function device Y₂ functions for accelerating the execution of the graphic calculation. The second output end O₂ of the power supply PS is coupled to the power socket SKT₂ through the power cord W₂ and the power plug CON₂ for providing power to the DC/DC converter DC/DC₂. The DC/DC converter DC/DC₂ converts the received power to appropriate voltages and provides the converted voltages to the regulator LDO₃. The regulator LDO₃ provides an appropriate voltage to the predetermined function device Y₂. In this way, the predetermined function device Y₂ can communicate with the interface of the chipset CS through the socket SKT_(X) for executing the predetermined function.

However, since the power consumed by the external device X is provided directly from the power supply PS, the chipset CS cannot be informed with the power consumption and the operation status of the external device X, and consequently cannot accordingly adjust the provided voltage and the operating frequency of the external device X, causing inefficiency of the predetermined device X and power wasting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a computer having power management function. The computer comprises a power supply, an external device, and a mother board. The power supply comprises a first output end and a second output end for respectively providing power. The external device is coupled to the second output end of the power supply for receiving power. The mother board is coupled to the first output end of the power supply for receiving power. The mother board comprises an additional current detecting module, coupled between the second output end of the power supply and the external device, for detecting current received by the external device and accordingly outputting a current detecting signal, and a controller, coupled between the additional current detecting module and the external device, for outputting a control signal to the external device according to the current detecting signal so as to control operation status of the external device.

The present invention further provides a computer having power management function. The computer comprises a power supply, an external device, an additional current detecting module, and a mother board. The power supply comprises a first output end and a second output end for respectively providing power. The external device is coupled to the second output end of the power supply for receiving power. The additional current detecting module is coupled between the second output end of the power supply and the external device for detecting current received by the external device and accordingly outputting a current detecting signal. The mother board is coupled to the first output end of the power supply for receiving power. The mother board comprises a controller, coupled between the current detecting module and the external device, for outputting a control signal to the external device according to the current detecting signal so as to control operation status of the external device.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional computer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a computer utilizing a power management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a computer utilizing a power management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a computer utilizing a power management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a computer utilizing a power management system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the current detector of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a computer 200 utilizing a power management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 200 comprises a power supply PS and a mother board MB. The mother board MB comprises a central processing unit CPU, a chipset CS, two regulators LDO₁ and LDO₂, a predetermined function device Y₁, and an internal current detecting module CDM₁, and an additional current detecting module CDM₂. The power management system 210 (not shown) comprises the chipset CS and the additional current detecting module CDM₂.

The power supply PS comprises a first output end O₁ and a second output end O₂ for respectively providing power. The first output end O₁ of the power supply PS is coupled to the power socket SKT₁ through the power cord W₁ and the power plug CON₁ for providing power to the DC/DC converter DC/DC₁. The DC/DC converter DC/DC₁ converts the received power to appropriate voltages and provides the converted voltages to the regulators LDO₁ and LDO₂ respectively. The regulator LDO₁ provides an appropriate voltage to the central processing unit CPU and the chipset CS. The regulator LDO₂ provides an appropriate voltage to the predetermined function device Y₁.

The internal current detecting module CDM₁ is coupled between the regulator LDO₂ and the predetermined function device Y₁ for detecting the current transmitted from the regulator LDO₂ to the predetermined function device Y₁, and accordingly outputs a current detecting signal S_(I1) to the chipset CS. The chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ according to the current detecting signal S_(I1), and accordingly adjusts the power consumption of the predetermined function device Y₁. For example, when the current detecting signal S_(I1) is lower than a predetermined value I_(P1), the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be idle; when the current detecting signal S_(I1) is higher than the predetermined value I_(P1), the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be busy. When the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be idle, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C1) to the regulator LDO₂ for decreasing the output voltage of the regulator LDO₂ so as to reduce the power consumption of the predetermined function device Y₁, or, when the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be idle, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C2) to the predetermined function device Y₁ for decreasing the operating frequency of the predetermined function device Y₁ so as to reduce the power consumption of the predetermined function device Y₁. When the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be busy, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C1) to the regulator LDO₂ for increasing the output voltage of the regulator LDO₂ so as to accelerate the processing speed of the predetermined function device Y₁, or, when the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₁ to be busy, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C2) to the predetermined function device Y₁ for increasing the operating frequency of the predetermined function device Y₁ so as to accelerate the processing speed of the predetermined function device Y₁.

The mother board MB is also equipped with a socket SKT_(X) coupling to the chipset CS through Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) or the like for allowing users to connect the external devices onto the mother board MB. As shown in FIG. 2, the external device X can be plugged into the socket SKT_(X) so as to communicate with the chipset CS through the PCI or the like and accordingly execute the function of the external device X.

Generally, under the condition that the power consumption of the external device X is small, the DC/DC converter DC/DC₁ of the mother board MB directly provides power to the external device X through the socket SKT_(X). However, if the power consumption of the external device X (i.e. accelerated graphic card) is too high, the DC/DC converter DC/DC₁ of the mother board MB cannot provide enough power to the external device X. Therefore, the external device X has to receive power from the second output end O₂ of the power supply PS of the computer 200.

The external device X comprises a power socket SKT₂, a DC/DC converter DC/DC₂, a regulator LDO₃, and a predetermined function device Y₂. As stated above, if the external device X is an accelerated graphic card, then the predetermined function device Y₂ functions for accelerating the execution of the graphic calculation. The second output end O₂ of the power supply PS is coupled to the power socket SKT₂ through the power cord W₂ and the power plug CON₂ for providing power to the DC/DC converter DC/DC₂. The DC/DC converter DC/DC₂ converts the received power to appropriate voltages and provides the converted voltages to the regulator LDO₃. The regulator LDO₃ provides an appropriate voltage to the predetermined function device Y₂. In this way, the predetermined function device Y₂ can communicate with the interface of the chipset CS through the socket SKT_(X) for executing the predetermined function.

The power management system 210 detects the current consumed by the external device X and accordingly control the operation status of the external device X. In the power management system 210, the additional current detecting module CDM₂ comprises an analog/digital converter ADC₁, a socket SKT₃, a plug CON₃, and a current detector D₁, wherein the analog/digital converter ADC₁, the socket SKT₃, and the plug CON₃ can be disposed on the mother board MB. The current detector D₁ of the additional current detecting module CDM₂ is disposed at the power cord W₂ coupled to the second output end O₂ of the power supply PS for detecting current passing through the power cord W₂ of the power supply PS and accordingly outputting an analog current detecting signal. The analog current detecting signal is transmitted to the analog/digital converter ADC₁ through the plug CON₃ and the socket SKT₃ and is converted to a digital signal as the current detecting signal S_(I2). The current detecting signal S_(I2) is transmitted to the chipset CS. In this way, the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₂ according to the current detecting signal S_(I2) and accordingly adjusts the power consumption of the predetermined function device Y₂. For example, when the current detecting signal S_(I2) is lower than a predetermined value I_(P2), the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₂ to be idle; when the current detecting signal S_(I2) is higher than the predetermined value I_(P2), the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₂ to be busy. When the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₂ to be idle, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C4) to the regulator LDO₃ for decreasing the output voltage of the regulator LDO₃ so as to reduce the power consumption of the predetermined function device Y₂, or, when the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₂ to be idle, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C3) to the predetermined function device Y₂ for decreasing the operating frequency of the predetermined function device Y₂ so as to reduce the power consumption of the predetermined function device Y₂. When the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₂ to be busy, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C4) to the regulator LDO₃ for increasing the output voltage of the regulator LDO₃ so as to accelerate the processing speed of the predetermined function device Y₂, or, when the chipset CS determines the operation status of the predetermined function device Y₂ to be busy, the chipset CS transmits a control signal S_(C3) to the predetermined function device Y₂ for increasing the operating frequency of the predetermined function device Y₂ so as to accelerate the processing speed of the predetermined function device Y₂.

Additionally, in FIG. 2, the current detector D₁ can be realized with a resistor R₁. The resistor R₁ and the power cord W₂ can be connected in series. In this way, the current passing through the power cord W₂ can be determined according to the voltage drop on the resistor R₁. Therefore, after the conversion of the analog/digital converter ADC₁, the current detecting signal S_(I2) is transmitted to the chipset CS. Furthermore, the predetermined values I_(P1) and I_(P2) can be set as desired.

Therefore, the computer 200 not only detects the power consumption of the devices on the mother board but also detects the power consumption of the external device X by utilizing the power management system 210 of the present invention. In this way, the total power consumption of the computer 200 can be accurately calculated and the operation statuses of the internal devices of the computer 200 and the external device X can be controlled efficiently.

Please refer to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a computer 200 utilizing a power management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the computer 200 comprises a power supply PS and a mother board MB. The mother board MB comprises a central processing unit CPU, a chipset CS, two regulators LDO₁, and LDO₂, a predetermined function device Y₁, and an internal current detecting module CDM₁ and an additional current detecting module CDM₂. The power management system 310 (not shown) comprises the chipset CS and the additional current detecting module CDM₂. The power management system 310 is similar to the power management system 210 and the related description is omitted. The difference between the power management systems 310 and 210 is that, in the additional current detecting module CDM₂ of the power management system 310, the current detector D₁ is realized with an inductor L₁. The inductor L₁ can be a ring-shaped inductor surrounding the power cord W₂. The inductor L₁ generates induced current according to the current passing through the power cord W₂, and the generated induced current is transmitted to the analog/digital converter ADC₁. After the conversion of the analog/digital converter ADC₁, the current detecting signal S_(I2) is generated and transmitted to the chipset CS.

Please refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a computer 400 utilizing a power management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the computer 400 comprises a power supply PS, a mother board MB, and an additional current detecting module CDM₃. The mother board MB comprises a central processing unit CPU, a chipset CS, two regulators LDO₁, and LDO₂, a predetermined function device Y₁, and an internal current detecting module CDM₁. The power management system 410 (not shown) comprises the chipset CS and the additional current detecting module CDM₃. FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2 and the related description is omitted. The difference between FIG. 4 and FIG. 2 is that the additional current detecting module CDM₃ of the power management system 410 is disposed outside of the mother board MB. As shown in FIG. 4, the analog/digital converter ADC₁ of the current detecting module CDM₃ is disposed outside of the mother board MB. Consequently, the required power and the current detecting signal of the additional current detecting module CDM₃ have to be transmitted through the plug CON₄ and the socket SKT₄. The required power of the analog/digital converter ADC₁ can be transmitted to the analog/digital converter ADC₁ from the DC/DC converter DC/DC₁ of the mother board MB, through the socket SKT₄ and the plug CON₄. The current detecting signal S_(I2) generated from the analog/digital converter ADC₁ is also transmitted to the chipset CS through the plug CON₄ and the socket SKT₄.

Additionally, in FIG. 4, the current detector D₁ is realized with a resistor R₁. The resistor R₁ and the power cord W₂ are connected in series. In this way, the current passing through the power cord W₂ can be determined according to the voltage drop on the resistor R₁. Therefore, after the conversion of the analog/digital converter ADC₁, the current detecting signal S_(I2) is transmitted to the chipset CS.

Therefore, the computer 400 not only detects the power consumption of the devices on the mother board but also detects the power consumption of the external device X by utilizing the power management system 410 of the present invention. In this way, the total power consumption of the computer 400 can be accurately calculated and the operation statuses of the internal devices of the computer 400 and the external device X can be controlled efficiently.

Please refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a computer 400 utilizing a power management system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the computer 400 comprises a power supply PS, a mother board MB, and an additional current detecting module CDM₃. The mother board MB comprises a central processing unit CPU, a chipset CS, two regulators LDO₁, and LDO₂, a predetermined function device Y₁, and an internal current detecting module CDM₁. The power management system 510 (not shown) comprises the chipset CS and the additional current detecting module CDM₃. FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 and the related description is omitted. The power management system 510 is similar to the power management system 410 and the related description is omitted. The difference between the power management systems 510 and 410 is that in the additional current detecting module CDM₃ of the power management system 510, the current detector D₁ is realized with an inductor L₁. The inductor L₁ can be a ring-shaped inductor surrounding the power cord W₂. The inductor L₁ generates induced current according to the current passing through the power cord W₂, and the generated induced current is transmitted to the analog/digital converter ADC₁. After the conversion of the analog/digital converter ADC₁, the current detecting signal S_(I2) is generated and transmitted to the chipset CS.

Please refer to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the current detector of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the current detector D₁ can be realized with a pole-shaped inductor L₂. The pole-shaped inductor L₂ generates induced current according to the current passing through the power cord W₂ coupled to the second output end O₂ of the power supply PS, and the generated induced current is transmitted to the analog/digital converter ADC₁. After the conversion of the analog/digital converter ADC₁, the current detecting signal S_(I2) is generated and transmitted to the chipset CS. It is noticeable that the distance between the pole-shaped inductor L₂ and the power cord W₂ coupled to the second output end O₂ of the power supply PS needs to be appropriately designed for avoiding unacceptable errors on the current detecting signal S_(I2) generated from the analog/digital converter ADC₁.

To sum up, the computer not only detects the power consumption of the devices on the mother board but also detects the power consumption of external devices by utilizing the power management system provided by the present invention. In this way, the total power consumption of the computer can be accurately calculated and the operation statuses of the internal devices of the computer and the external devices can be controlled efficiently, providing great convenience.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. 

1. A computer having power management function, comprising: a power supply, comprising a first power plug and a second power plug for respectively providing power; an external device with a second socket, wherein the second socket is coupled to the second power plug for receiving power; and a mother board with a first socket, wherein the first socket is coupled to the first power plug for receiving power, the mother board comprising: a current detecting module, coupled between the second power plug and the power supply for detecting current in a power line disposed between the second power plug and the power supply and accordingly outputting a current detecting signal; and a controller, coupled between the current detecting module and the external device, for outputting a control signal to the external device according to the current detecting signal so as to control operating frequency or the operating voltage of the external device; wherein when the current detecting signal is lower than a predetermined value, controller outputs the control signal to the external device for decreasing the operating frequency or the operating voltage of the external device, and when the current detecting signal is higher than the predetermined value, controller outputs the control signal to the external device for increasing the operating frequency or the operating voltage of the external device.
 2. The computer of claim 1, wherein the additional current detecting module comprises: a current detector, coupled between the second output end of the power supply and the external device, for detecting the current received by the external device and accordingly outputting an analog current detecting signal; and an analog/digital converter, coupled to the current detector, for converting the analog current detecting signal to a digital signal as the current detecting signal.
 3. The computer of claim 2, wherein the current detector is an inductor or a resistor.
 4. The computer of claim 1, wherein the controller is a chipset.
 5. A computer having power management function, comprising: a power supply, comprising a first power plug and a second power plug for respectively providing power; an external device with a second socket, wherein the second socket is coupled to the second power for receiving power; a current detecting module, coupled between the second power plug and the power supply for detecting current in a power line disposed between the second power plug and the power supply and accordingly outputting a current detecting signal; and a mother board with a first socket, wherein the first socket is coupled to the first power plug for receiving power, the mother board comprising: a controller, coupled between the current detecting module and the external device, for outputting a control signal to the external device according to the current detecting signal so as to control operating frequency or the operating voltage of the external device wherein when the current detecting signal is lower than a predetermined value, controller outputs the control signal to the external device for decreasing the operating frequency or the operating voltage of the external device, and when the current detecting signal is higher than the predetermined value, controller outputs the control signal to the external device for increasing the operating frequency or the operating voltage of the external device.
 6. The computer of claim 5, wherein the additional current detecting module comprises: a current detector, coupled between the second output end of the power supply and the external device, for detecting the current received by the external device and accordingly outputting an analog current detecting signal; and an analog/digital converter, coupled to the current detector, for converting the analog current detecting signal to a digital signal as the current detecting signal.
 7. The computer of claim 6, wherein the current detector is an inductor or a resistor.
 8. The computer of claim 5, wherein the controller is a chipset. 